While true for domestic (sticker) upgrades, this is not true for SWU upgrades. These are definitely based on check-in time in the airport list. What I don't recall is if the OLCI process for international flights allows one to add to the airport list for the SWUs like it does for domestic sticker flights.
Cheers.
While that is true, the quote from 2006 by mvoight and the general context of this thread relate to domestic upgrades. IJK also emphasized their Gold status, which has no international SWU benefits but does allow for "sticker" upgrades.
Therefore I stand by my statement in this context and thread, lest someone attach an addendum to your post explaining UA's SWU policies.